First 'Made in India' Semiconductor Chips Designed in Odisha Unveiled
In a significant step towards technological self-reliance, the first indigenously designed semiconductor chips from India were presented to the Prime Minister. The three chips were developed by engineering colleges in Odisha—two at NIT Rourkela and one at PMEC Berhampur. The achievement is being hailed as a landmark moment for the 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives, positioning the country as an emerging global hub in electronics and reducing dependency on imports for this critical technology.
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India missed several opportunities in the past due to policy hesitancy, bureaucratic delays, lack of strategic clarity, and insufficient ecosystem support. Notably, a fire at the Semiconductor Complex Limited in 1989 and failed partnerships with global players like Intel and AMD set the country back for decades, allowing nations like Taiwan and China to take the lead.
The chips represent a shift from reliance on imported technology toward domestic innovation. They are a foundation for future growth, enabling India to develop its own semiconductor ecosystem, support advanced sectors like AI and defense, and reduce supply-chain vulnerabilities, positioning India as a potential global electronics hub.
The government has launched the India Semiconductor Mission, allocating about US$7.17 billion in incentives for chip production, and invested in modernizing facilities like the Mohali Semiconductor Laboratory. Ten strategic projects, including fabrication plants and advanced packaging, have been approved to build an indigenous semiconductor industry.
While the new chips are a milestone for India, they currently trail global leaders like Taiwan and South Korea in terms of manufacturing scale and cutting-edge technology. However, with ongoing government support and domestic expertise in chip design, India is positioning itself for rapid advancement in the coming years.